UAE calls for Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf AI center to boost cooperation

The UAE has proposed establishing a Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf Artificial Intelligence Center to strengthen regional cooperation in AI development, investment and governance, state news agency WAM reported.

The proposal came at the Marrakech Economic Parliamentary Forum on June 19-20.

What is the proposed Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf AI center ?

The center would serve as a platform for research, investment coordination and regulatory cooperation among Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf nations.

It would also support knowledge exchange, skills development and governance frameworks for the safe and responsible use of AI, according to Federal National Council member Dr Ahmed Al Mansouri.

Where was the AI center proposal announced?

The proposal was raised during the fourth edition of the Marrakech Economic Parliamentary Forum, held June 19-20 under the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean. The forum was held in partnership with Morocco's House of Councilors, the World Bank Parliamentary Network and the International Monetary Fund.

Al Mansouri made the proposal at a session titled "Fostering Investment in Artificial Intelligence and the Creation of a Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf AI Hub." He said artificial intelligence had become a defining force in the global economy, reshaping industries, public services and key development sectors.

Why does the UAE want stronger AI cooperation?

Al Mansouri said countries investing in AI were gaining a clear competitive edge, warning that the widening technological gap was becoming a major driver of global economic inequality. He pointed to the UAE's early adoption of AI, including its national strategy, a dedicated ministerial portfolio, and expanded international partnerships to accelerate innovation and investment in the sector.

He also cited major infrastructure developments, including the UAE-US Artificial Intelligence Campus in Abu Dhabi, which has a planned capacity of 5 gigawatts and is described as the largest supercomputing complex outside the United States. AI-related investments in the UAE exceeded AED 543 billion across 2024 and 2025, he said.

What role would the proposed center play in the region?

Al Mansouri said the UAE views artificial intelligence as a tool for international collaboration and long-term economic transformation, stressing the need for innovation-led growth. The forum's broader discussions underscored AI's expanding role in driving economic growth, industrial change and new investment opportunities, while also highlighting the importance of inclusive governance and responsible deployment.

Participants called for stronger cooperation between governments, parliaments, international organizations, academia and the private sector to ensure AI supports sustainable development, resilience and shared prosperity across the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions.